Summary
This consultation seeks views on the draft Judicial Pensions (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026. The 2026 Amendments will amend the Judicial Pensions Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 (“the 2015 Regulations”) which established the Northern Ireland Judicial Pension Scheme (“the NIJPS”).
Documents
- Consultation document draft Judicial pensions regulations
- Equality screening draft Judicial pensions regulations
- Rural needs impact assessment draft Judicial pensions regulations
Consultation description
MoJ has become aware of some instances in which it has either not deducted or deducted an incorrect amount of members’ contributions from salary or fees at the time these were paid to members, as required by the legislation that underpins the pension schemes for which it is responsible. In some cases, these missed contributions were recovered by other means, usually lump sum payments that were proactively made by members. In other cases, the contributions remain outstanding so must be collected. In its consultation paper, MoJ proposes to amend pension scheme Regulations to increase the powers to collect these payments, with retrospective and prospective effect. MoJ has undertaken work to explore the extent of the issue, and it considers that the matter is relatively limited in scope. Since it is proposing to make changes to its 2015 pension scheme, upon which the NIJPS is based, it is considered prudent to consult on similar amendments to the NIJPS, although it is unclear at this stage whether any NIJPS members are affected.
Ways to respond
Access to Justice Directorate
Department of Justice
Block 2
Knockview Buildings
Stormont Estate
Belfast
BT4 3SJ